Adare might certainly tick a few of those boxes.  It's not terribly far from SNN and you could 'add in' stops along the way, in either Bunratty or Limerick.

Other than the thatched buildings, there's also a beautiful park and a few nice pubs and eateries.  There's a very nice Tourist Information Office, as well:  http://adareheritagecentre.ie/

Tours of the Castle only are offered between June and September, but there's  fair number of other interesting sites:   https://adarevillage.com/history/historyhistoric-sites/

General Info:  https://adarevillage.com/

I think Adare would fit the bill too. I spent a whole week there self-catering and didn't run out of things to do and see. There is a lot of traffic at rush hours but once that calms down, it is a charming village with good restaurants, etc. Dunraven Arms and Adare Manor are excellent places to stay. Adare Country House is in town and you would be able to walk to pubs and restaurants.

For something different in the sightseeing department, The Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Lough Gur and Kilmallock are not too far a drive from Adare.

Foynes was the original Shannon Airport. The flying boats literally landed on the Shannon River. It is the home of Irish Coffee and has a small museum dedicated to Maureen O'Hara, whose husband flew planes into Foynes. There is also a mock-up of a flying boat.